dubai world trade centre and jumeirah group join together as part of global fight against diabetes
Burj Al Arab – one of the most recognisable landmarks on the UAE’s skyline – will light up in blue to mark the first United Nations World Diabetes Day on Wednesday.
The iconic hotel will join over 160 of the world’s most famous sites in lighting up in the blue colour of the diabetes circle, the global symbol for diabetes. Jumeirah Group and Dubai World Trade Centre are working together as part of the global fight against this major public health menace.
The light-up ceremony sees Dubai join a community of nations publicly marking World Diabetes Day. The Sydney Opera House, one of the world’s most famous landmarks, was one of the first buildings to join the World Diabetes Day campaign and agree to light up in blue.
Since then the campaign has been joined by a host of global landmarks, including the Sears Tower, Tokyo Tower, Niagara Falls, the Aleppo Citadel in Syria, the Obelisk in Buenos Aires, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the building currently considered the world’s tallest: the Taipei 101 Tower in Taiwan.
“As an icon of Dubai, the illumination of Burj Al Arab will provide a highly visible landmark for World Diabetes Day, helping to highlight the increasingly prevalent issue of this medical condition. We are delighted to lend our support to such a worthwhile cause which will increase awareness of diabetes in the UAE and around the globe,” said Luc Delafosse, General Manger, Burj Al Arab.
It will be followed on November 17th with a walkathon and family entertainment day, set to take place at Safa Park in Dubai, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and Industry UAE, and endorsed by His Excellency Mr. Qadai Al Murooshid, Head of Department of Health & Medical Services (DOHMS), in association with the Emirates Diabetes Society.
The UN-recognition of World Diabetes Day follows the passage of Resolution 61/225 in December 2006. The resolution was the first milestone of an ambitious campaign led by the International Diabetes Federation to raise awareness of diabetes and its serious complications.
Dr. Abdulrazzaq Ali Al Madani, Director, Dubai Hospital, said: “This campaign is of enormous public importance, given the scale of the challenge we face in managing diabetes in the UAE. Diabetes is a serious disease, which requires a unified response from doctors, organisations and the general public.”
The World Diabetes Day Resolution recognizes diabetes as a chronic, debilitating and costly disease that poses severe risks for families, countries and the entire world. The UN has thrown its support behind World Diabetes Day and encourages countries to act now to reverse the diabetes epidemic.
Today, 246 million people live with diabetes globally and if nothing is done, this figure will reach 380 million within 20 years. According to the Global Prevalence of Diabetes report from the World Health Organization, the UAE currently has the world’s third highest per capita rate of diabetes in the adult population.
Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, Dubai World Trade Centre, said: “We are proud to be part of this global campaign, which aims to tackle one of the most serious health issues of our time. Dubai World Trade Centre firmly supports all efforts to help the community to reduce the burden of this disease.”
Dubai has successfully will host the 21st World Diabetes Congress organised by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) for 2011. With over 12,000 delegates and 500 invited speakers set to participate, the congress will be one of the largest international congresses ever held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and will bring many of the world's leading experts on diabetes to the country.
To mark the importance of World Diabetes Day, individuals are encouraged to wear the diabetes pin, which incorporates the blue circle – the global symbol for diabetes. Further details of the campaign and how people can show their support can be found at www.worlddiabetesday.org
The walkathon and family entertainment day will start at 10:00am at Safa Park and the day will see entertainment activities for the whole family. An ambulance staffed with nurses, provided by DoHMS, will be at the park providing free diabetes testing.
